The magazine's annual Architectural Portfolio issue features elementary, secondary and post-secondary academic institutions nationwide for excellence in design. The Lake of the Ozarks campus building was cited by the magazine for its collaborative design process that included educators and students, leading to a design that incorporates safety and environmental design in its architecture.

"We are proud to have our campus recognized among exceptional education designs," said Dr. John Keeney, Lake of the Ozarks campus director. "The building provides an ideal academic environment for students, faculty and staff."

The building, located on College Boulevard near Lowe’s, was completed in June 2005 and designed by Simon Oswald Associates, an architecture and design firm located in Columbia, Mo. It features state-of-the-art classrooms, a nursing center with a skills lab, two computer labs, a student work area, science lab, art classroom, student commons, a vending area and a faculty lounge.

Columbia College-Lake of the Ozarks was founded in 1990. Today, it continues to serve working adults and military students in the Lake area.

Columbia College provides accredited, affordable degrees for working adults and military students, serving nearly 25,000 students at its 32 Nationwide Campuses, Online Campus, Graduate Studies Program and Day Campus.